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Van · 1996–2021 cars

Volkswagen Caddy reliability

The Volkswagen Caddy fails 30.5% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, based on 489,320 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

About averageReliability score 52/100#6 of 40 vans

Checking a Volkswagen Caddy before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
30.5%
first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage
2% fewer
fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
489,320
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings
12,000
typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Volkswagen Caddy is a sound, about average choice. Across 489,320 MOT tests from 2022 to 2024, 30.5% of first tests ended in a fail, against 28.4% for all cars. Compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it is about average, and it ranks 6 of 40 van models. The 2008 model is the best year, with 13% fewer MOT fails than comparable cars. The 2017 model is the weakest, with 22% more fails, so check those with extra care.

Windscreen, wipers and mirrors is the weakest area, with 33% more fails than comparable cars, so inspect these closely. Before you buy, check the suspension arm pins and bushes, the most common failure at 2.63% of tests. Also check tyre tread below 1.6mm, brake pads below 1.5mm and washer fluid levels. Any faults you find can help you negotiate on price.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Volkswagen Caddy ages

Each point is the share of Volkswagen Caddys of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

0%15%30%45%60%3691215182124Age at MOT (years)
Volkswagen CaddyAll cars
Volkswagen Caddy first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)Volkswagen CaddyAll cars
318.7%12.3%
420.3%14.1%
523%16.4%
624.5%19.1%
727.2%22.1%
828.7%25.5%
931%28.8%
1032.4%31.8%
1134.7%34.6%
1236.3%37.3%
1337.9%39.5%
1439.8%41.1%
1539.9%42.3%
1639.6%42.9%
1741.8%43.4%
1841.4%43.5%
1940.2%43.4%
2042.7%42.8%
2146.3%41.4%
2242.7%40.6%
2341.9%38.9%
2439.5%37.1%
2543.1%35.8%

By year

The best and worst Volkswagen Caddy years

2008 cars come out best and 2017 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Volkswagen Caddy MOT results by year of first registration
First registeredTestsFail rateAgainst same-age carsTypical mileage
2021 Caddy1,74613.6%2% fewer fails35,744
2020 Caddy12,87518.2%17% more fails44,295
2019 Caddy29,01219.7%19% more fails50,030
2018 Caddy38,13219.2%5% more fails58,401
2017 Caddy40,95025.2%22% more fails64,934
2016 Caddy46,21427.3%14% more fails77,122
2015 Caddy41,29027.6%2% more fails84,416
2014 Caddy41,50229.9%3% fewer fails102,116
2013 Caddy43,22731.5%7% fewer fails109,895
2012 Caddy34,32533.1%10% fewer fails125,107
2011 Caddy43,18334.8%11% fewer fails125,507
2010 Caddy31,20739.6%4% fewer fails138,580
2009 Caddy22,81539.3%8% fewer fails141,383
2008 Caddy18,89138.4%13% fewer fails152,461
2007 Caddy16,22140.4%10% fewer fails152,046
2006 Caddy10,67242.1%7% fewer fails160,174
2005 Caddy7,65941.4%10% fewer fails164,229
2004 Caddy4,59643.6%6% fewer fails165,894
2003 Caddy1,18441.5%8% fewer fails135,606
2002 Caddy1,06543.8%2% fewer fails140,987
200159849%13% more fails130,817
200078845.7%11% more fails117,944
199979138.8%1% fewer fails112,407
199829144.3%16% more fails111,798

Common problems

What fails most on a Volkswagen Caddy

Its weak spot is windscreen, wipers and mirrors: 33% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

  • Suspension11.7%12% above avg
  • Lights and electrics10.4%21% below avg
  • Tyres7.2%1% above avg
  • Brakes7.1%8% below avg
  • Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.5%33% above avg
  • Exhaust, emissions and leaks4%10% above avg
  • Body, chassis and structure3.7%3% below avg
  • Seat belts and airbags1%19% below avg
  • Steering0.7%68% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

  1. 1

    Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.63% of tests

    Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.

  2. 2

    Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.56% of tests

    Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.

  3. 3

    Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.17% of tests

    Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.

  4. 4

    Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 2.09% of tests

    Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.

  5. 5

    Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.83% of tests

    Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.

  6. 6

    Stop lamp not working 1.78% of tests

    A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.

  7. 7

    Position lamp not working 1.78% of tests

    A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.

  8. 8

    Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.78% of tests

    Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Volkswagen Caddy's MOT certificate most often.

  • Tyre worn close to legal limit15.95%
  • Brake disc pitted or scored10%
  • Brake pads wearing thin7.1%
  • Tyre slightly damaged or cracking5.74%
  • Engine oil leak, not excessive5.37%
  • Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear5.17%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Volkswagen Caddy

  1. 1

    Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn

    Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.

  2. 2

    Tyre tread below 1.6mm

    Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.

  3. 3

    Brake pads worn below 1.5mm

    Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.

  4. 4

    Windscreen washer fluid insufficient

    Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.

  5. 5

    Every MOT since new

    Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.

  6. 6

    The mileage record

    A typical Volkswagen Caddy covers about 12,000 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.

  7. 7

    Finance, stolen and write-off

    The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

  • Diesel98.2%
  • Petrol1.8%
  • Other0%
  • LPG0%
  • Electric0%

Most common colours

White, Blue, Silver, Grey, Black

Average engine size: 1.8 litres.

Compare

How the Volkswagen Caddy compares with its rivals

Volkswagen Caddy against similar models
ModelFail rateAgainst same-age cars
Volkswagen Caddy30.5%about average for its age
Ford Transit Connect36%14% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Combo41.4%29% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Renault Trafic41.5%30% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Peugeot Partner38.1%32% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Vivaro43.6%33% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Citroën Berlingo41.9%37% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every van ranked in the van reliability index, or all Volkswagen models.

Questions

Volkswagen Caddy questions, answered

Is the Volkswagen Caddy reliable?

On MOT results, the Volkswagen Caddy is about average: it fails 30.5% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage. It ranks 6 of 40 van models in our index.

What fails most on a Volkswagen Caddy MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Volkswagen Caddy are suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (2.63% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.56% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (2.17% of tests). By area, suspension fails 11.7% of its tests.

Which Volkswagen Caddy year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2008 cars do best (13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2017 cars do worst (22% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Volkswagen Caddy do a year?

A typical Volkswagen Caddy covers about 12,000 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Volkswagen Caddy before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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